 Mark Graham
Senior Pastor
A native of Pulaski, Virginia, Mark experienced God’s calling into pastoral ministry as a teenager through the nurturing of his parents, his home Lutheran congregation, and the influences of the Holy Spirit in a youth led Bible study. By the time he matriculated at the College of William & Mary, he knew he needed to head in that direction. Mark graduated from the College in 1979 with a B.A. in Greek and a month later married an alumna of William & Mary and his wife of now over 30 years, Rena Pope Graham. God has blessed them with two daughters, Emily and Katelyn. Both are recent graduates of the University of Virginia.
In 1983, Mark graduated from the Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary with a Master of Divinity degree. He accepted the call to serve as pastor of St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, Luray, Virginia. A little over four years later, he received a call from St. John, Roanoke where he began service in August of 1987. In May, 2003, Mark earned a Doctor of Ministry degree from Columbia Theological Seminary.
Mark has been a leader in many ministries, including evangelism, peer mentoring and leadership, and local and global mission efforts. He currently serves on the Board of Directors of Faith Christian School in Roanoke and on the Board of Directors of Orphan Medical Network International (OMNI).
He continues to rejoice in the blessings of serving St. John, especially as he has seen the congregation grow numerically and faithfully in worship, discipleship, mission, and stewardship. His passion centers on leading the congregation’s purpose “to worship and serve God in love and obedience,” and he emphasizes the authority of the Scripture in all matters of life and faith.
 Elijah Mwitanti
Associate Pastor
Born and raised in Zambia, Africa, Elijah submitted to God's voice of salvation at age 15 while at a youth camp. By the time he was finishing High School, he felt a strong tug of the Holy Spirit to train for full time ministry in the Church. That led him through the library and classrooms of the Theological College of Central Africa in 1989 where upon graduation in 1991; he got into the pastorate, teaching and administration in the Baptist Association of Zambia.
Feeling inadequate with the amount of theological education he had received in proportion to the responsibilities he had taken on, Elijah sought further education from the United States of America. In 1994,with the help of some missionary friends, he enrolled into the Reformed Theological Seminary in Jackson, Mississippi, graduating in 1997.
Elijah is an example of the 21st century reverse missionary movement. God is calling people from areas like Africa, Asia and Latin America to spread the gospel in countries that used to be missionary sending agencies. His ministry journey in the United States has seen Elijah serve in Texas, New Jersey, Utah, and currently at St. John Lutheran Church in Roanoke, VA.
Elijah is passionate about preaching, teaching, and missions. He overseas Small Groups, Missions and Singles Ministry. He serves on the board of governors of Orphan Medical Network International (OMNI) and Oasis Village in Zambia.
Supporting Elijah in ministry is his wife Kerris and their children Semba, Vickie, Heather and Ashley.
 Gerry McDermott
Teaching Pastor
Pastor Gerry was raised as a Catholic, went through a period of agnosticism in college, and then came to Christian re-commitment a short time later. He joined a Christian commune after graduation, met Jean there, and the two were married in the community. He was a school principal for seven years in Texas and Minnesota. He earned a PhD in religion at the University of Iowa, is an ordained Anglican priest, and serves St. John part-time as Teaching Pastor. He is the full-time Jordan-Trexler Professor of Religion at Roanoke College, and author of many articles and books: http://roanoke.edu/Academics/Academic_Departments/Religion_and_Philosophy/Faculty/Dr_McDermott.htm
Gerry and Jean have three grown sons and three grandchildren.
 Mike Agee
Administrator
Staff member since: 2002
Best part about your ministry: Using the gifts and talents that God gave me for His glory.
Favorite Bible Verse: Psalm 30 (all of it!)
Hometown: Roanoke, VA
 MarLane Knuppel
Minister of Contemporary Music
Staff member since: 2008
Best part about your ministry: The best thing about my ministry is the people I am blessed to be working with. The Praise & Worship Team is a highly dedicated group of musicians who love to sing and play for the Lord. And, perhaps more importantly, they each have a heart for leading others into the presence of God where authentic worship is experienced. I am honored and humbled to be doing the work of God with and among those who love Him as much as I do.
Favorite Bible Verse: Isaiah 12:2
Behold, God is my salvation;
I will trust, and will not be afraid;
for the LORD GOD is my strength and my song,
and he has become my salvation."
Hometown: Sherman, Texas (just North of Dallas)
 Keith Reed
Minister of Traditional Music and Children’s Choirs
Staff Member Since: 2010
Best Part About Your Ministry: I enjoy working with others in music. I enjoy growing with others as we learn to sing, as we learn to worship, as we learn to be a caring group.
Favorite Bible Verse: Ephesians 3: 20-21. This doxology of Paul's to the Ephesians resounds with a thankful heart that we all should have in regards to what God is able to do and the scope with which he does it.
Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, to Him be the glory in the Church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen.
Hometown: Bismarck, ND
 Stan Wise
Interim Minister of Christian Education
Staff member since: 2009
Best part about your ministry: I love scripture, learning about God and his plan for us all. A Christian Education Ministry “involves the administration and coordination of programs or strategies to facilitate the spiritual growth or discipleship of believers into Christ-likeness.” It gives me great joy to play a role, no matter how large or small, in facilitating the spiritual growth of the children, adults, and families of St. John by being a servant of God and his people.
Favorite Bible Verse: Isaiah 53:4-6
This passage of scripture reveals the breadth and depth of Jesus’ love for us all. Everything, our all in all, can be laid at the foot of the cross, our pain, our sorrow, our grief, our transgressions, our iniquities, our salvation and our peace. God’s mercy, grace and steadfast love for us knows no bounds. We “as sheep have gone astray” and every one of us has turned to our own way, yet we can rejoice with exceeding joy that the price for our redemption has been paid in full, it is a gift from God and all that we need to do is accept it! “By his stripes we are healed.”
Hometown: Healdsburg, California
 Corey Paxton
Youth and Young Adult Minister
Staff member since: 2008
Best part about your ministry: Helping young people experience a real relationship with Christ.
Favorite Bible Verse: Matthew 15:16
Hometown: Roanoke, VA
 Vicki Paxton
Children’s Minister
Staff member since: 2004
Best part about my ministry: I love working with children and getting to know them.I love laughing and singing praise songs with them. I love watching the older children lead, and care for the younger children and I love being surprised with beautiful art work that shows the child's love for Jesus! My job is also rewarding because it challenges me to understand scripture down to its essentials. It helps me tap in to my creative spirit and gives me many an opportunity to delight in the natural creativity and loving nature of children.
Favorite bible verse: (if I have to choose just one!!) "Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children, and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God." Ephesians 5:1-2
Hometown: I was born in Bethesda, Maryland, but was there only a few months. I'd say my hometown is really 'the navy' since my father was career military and we traveled all over the country when I was growing up.
 LuAnn Ferguson
Relational Minister
Staff member since: 2006
Best part about your ministry: Getting to know so many people who worship here, both the new members and those who have worshipped here for years. It’s a real blessing to me!
Favorite Bible Verses: Proverbs 3:5-6, Philippians 4:8-9
Hometown: Hillsboro, ND
 Jim McCarthy
Sexton
Best part about your ministry: Interaction with all the various church members.
Favorite Bible Verse: 1 Corinthians 13
Hometown: Elmira, NY
 Kathy Grove
Bookkeeper
 Lucy Finn
Parish Secretary
|
